The new orleans Pelicans (21-20) head on the road to Madison Square Garden where they will take on the New York Knicks (19-23) in a Sunday afternoon matchup.
Starting with their last matchup against New York on December 30, the Pelicans have alternated a loss with a win in each of their last six games. In their most recent outing on Friday, they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers by the score of 119-113. New Orleans short 54.9 percent from the field and was nearly perfect from the foul line (22-23). Their dynamic frontcourt pairing of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 60 points, 28 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks.
The Knicks have lost two games in a row, five of their last six, and nine of their last 11. They fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, 118-108. New York trailed by just one after three quarters but were outscord 16-4 in the first 4:08 of the fourth. The Knicks had a balanced scoring attack in the loss with seven players reaching double figures led by Jarrett Jack’s 18.
Projected starting lineups
Pelicans: PG - Rajon Rondo, SG - Jrue Holiday, SF - E’Twaun Moore, PF - Anthony Davis, C - DeMarcus Cousins
Knicks: PG - Jarrett Jack, SG - Courtney Lee, SF - Lance Thomas, PF - Kristaps Porzingis, C - Enes Kanter
Stat leaders
Pelicans: Scoring - Anthony Davis 26.1, Rebounding - DeMarcus Cousins 12.5, Assists - Rajon Rondo 7.9
Knicks: Scoring - Kristaps Porzingis 23.6, Rebounding - Enes Kanter 10.1, Assists - Jarrett Jack 6.1
Injury report
Pelicans: Out - Alexis Ajinca (knee), Tony Allen (leg), Solomon Hill (hamstring), Frank Jackson (foot)
Knicks: none
What to watch for
At first glance, it may look like DeMarcus Cousins has thoroughly dominated the Knicks, averaging 31 points in his last three outings against them.
He has shot just a combined 27-75 (36 percent) from the field. He has lived at the free throw line though, going 32-37. He has also averaged 14.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in the three outings.
Tim Hardaway Jr. will look to continue to get his feet back under him as this will be his second game back since missing about a month and a half with a stress injury in his leg.
He played pretty well on Friday in nearly 25 minutes of action scoring 16 points and making four threes.
New Orleans is one of the league’s best shooting teams connecting on 49 percent of their field goals (second-best in NBA). The Knicks have been one of the league’s stoutest field goal defenses ranking fourth allowing the opposition to shoot 44.5 percent.
Pelicans/Knicks history
The Knicks and Pelicans have met 33 times in the regular season with New Orleans holding the ever-so-slight 17-16 advantage in the win column. Previously known as the New Orleans Hornets, they have won five of nine head-to-head meetings since being known as the Pelicans.
The Pelicans had taken three in a row over the Knicks until New York eked out a 105-103 victory on December 30. Anthony Davis was unable to connect on a game-winning three as time expired.
